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Engineering Tolerances

A dimension without a tolerance is incomplete. Functional fits, process capability, inspection method and temperature all affect an acceptable limit.

Core idea

A dimension without a tolerance is incomplete. Functional fits, process capability, inspection method and temperature all affect an acceptable limit.

Practical approach

Confirm units, identify the governing standard or manufacturer data, record assumptions, calculate an initial value, and check whether the result is sensitive to friction, temperature, efficiency, tolerances or material variation.

Use calculators with judgement

Online tools are useful for comparison and first-pass design. Safety-critical work requires suitable factors of safety, verified inputs and review by a competent person.

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